U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize $187,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Release Date:

September 23, 2015

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged cocaine valued at approximately $187,000 during a routine examination. CBP officers discovered the alleged cocaine hidden within a 2015 Dodge Ram Adventure.

“I am proud of the outstanding work by our CBP officers in this seizure and arrest,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, CBP officers working primary at the Gateway International Bridge encountered a gray 2015 Dodge Ram Adventure being driven by a man. A CBP officer conducting primary examinations referred the vehicle, its male driver, identified as a 23-year-old Mexican citizen who resides in Cuernavaca, Mexico, to secondary inspection for further examination. While in secondary and with the assistance of a K9 unit, CBP officers discovered 11 packages within the Dodge Ram Adventure. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which held a total weight of approximately 24.25 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $187,000. CBP officers arrested the driver, seized the narcotics and turned the vehicle and its driver over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.